Forever and Always

Chapter Seven: The Drawing

                                                                                      ~Dan's POV~

I leaned in to kiss her; What a perfect way to show that I love her. I never could have imagined that this day would come. There was not one thing that could have made it better than it was; Closed eyes, parted lips, the fact that everything in that moment seemed irrelevant to me, because of my concentration on her. Every amount of stress in my body became minuscule, trivial nothings.

 When we parted, my eyes remained closed for a few seconds after. I was trying to keep myself collected and piece my thoughts back together; As I was lost in a dream for a moment. " I'm so sorry- I thought it was the right thing to do and-" Amelia interrupted my nonsensical remarks, " Dan, you were right to do that. I'm actually quite glad that you did that. To be honest with you, I want it to happen again, though I'm not sure how you feel about that."

I tilted my head in attempt to kiss her, my lips barely touched hers when Arthur interrupted what could have been perfection. I will admit to being scared at first, but Amelia seemed to be the braver person, and proceeded to shoo him away. I did want to kiss her again, but the idea of Arthur knowing that is happening, along with the possibility of him walking in, made me feel like it was most likely something that I should not do.

To ease the feeling of anxiety, I grabbed my art things, forgetting the importance of some drawings contained within it, threw it beside her. I noticed a loose page fall out, but I pretended not to. The need to show her my drawings were rising, but I was afraid that she might find the one's of her that I'd drawn out of a need for he. She picked up the drawing and stared at it with a grin. " What's this?" She flipped the page toward my direction with a familiar image. " Oh, yeah... That. I can't say that I'm sure." She sort of glared at me for a moment, "This is me," she pointed toward herself, then to me, "And this is you, right? May I also point out that this just happened only a minute ago? Is there something you aren't telling me, and did you plan this?" I looked away for a second, then back at the drawing. "I suppose that this is something that I wanted to happen one day, so I drew it. If I can picture something in my head, then I can create the picture on a canvas; Making it real for me." She smiled a bit more, and let out a small laugh,"That's wonderful. I'm glad you haven't seen any of my art work. It's quite bad to say the least." Despite the fact that she looked shameful when she said that, I knew the truth and that she had talent to do amazing things. What she was telling me was a lie, but I acted like I didn't know that. "If you show me your most recent artwork, I will show you mine." She seemed hesitant, but she stood up to get her's, anyways.

When she left the room, I noticed a small blue journal sticking out from under the futon. I was extremely tempted to reach down, and turn through the pages, but a friend-or whatever we are- would not, and should not do something to invade the other's privacy. I would hate it if she decided to flip through my sketch book, so I can not do something like that to her. Especially since I love her. 

I could hear footsteps coming up the stairs and reaching the room. "I realized that the time is 12 AM when I went downstairs to grab my things. I suppose that you will be staying then, correct?" I was not sure as to the decision I should have made. I am seventeen now, as well as have an apartment of my own. I can make the decisions for myself I thought doubtfully "Well it seems I have no choice, I guess I could stay." I said sarcastically smiling. "I'm so excited! We can give you a makeover, and paint your nails,and we'll straighten your hair-" I made a face of disapproval and disgust, not knowing whether she was being serious or not. " And of course other stereotypical girly things!" She laughed. "You are joking, right? I sure hope not, because I am ready to be fabulous as soon as possible!" I joked. Of course she was only being her silly, normal self. She had such a contagious laugh, it was quite an admirable feature of the many admirable features that she had.

"I do believe that time is passing, and I am losing sleep, so I presume that we get this party started."She picked up her drawing books and opened it up to the first page. I sat down next to her and had a strong intention to lie my head on her shoulder. But I decided not to, since I still wasn't sure what we were.

"what did you mean when you said ' I can't draw' earlier? This is a beautiful drawing." It was filled with colors and odd shaped swirls; What I identified as space. "I can't draw like this, Amelia, I can only draw people." I said. " I believe you mean realistically; The way I yearn to draw."She complained. "Don't be ridiculous, I love you- your drawings, I mean, because they are different. Abstract. That's why I like-" I was stuttering now because of the butterflies in my throat. I eventually got over them. " That is the reason," I pulled myself together,"that I like you."I finally managed to spit out. She then smiled and grabbed my hand. She pulled my arm around her shoulder, and she looked at my mouth. I assumed that she was going to kiss me, so I sat upright, and kissed her. Again.

When she leaned away from me this time, I opened my eyes first, and her eyes were still closed. What a beautiful image. She reached behind herself and grabbed my closed sketch book. "Your turn."

I turned the book away from her, so she would not see certain drawings. "Here's a good one." I said, showing her an image of herself with a flower in her curly hair. " Oh my God, I love this." She exclaimed. "Me, too" I said hoping she would get the hint. Unfortunately, she did not and just proceeded with the conversation. " Actually, can we continue in the morning." She rubbed her eyes, then rested her head on my chest. "I would really quite appreciate that actually, I am feeling tired myself. Where should I sleep?" She pointed toward her futon. "Okay..?" I let her finish the sentence,"And I can sleep on the bed."  I sighed a relief and disapproval "Oh, okay."

I got up to turn off the lights, but instead Amelia grabbed my hand and stood up with me. "I like you. I look you a lot." She said looking deep into my eyes. I hugged her and kissed her goodnight and we finally departed; Me too turn off the lights and her to lie in her bed. As I lied down on the firm, yet comfortable futon. "I love you," I could hear a whisper coming from Amelia on the side of the room as she was drifting off to sleep. Knowing that she would not hear me, I said "I love you, too."